This morning, in a hot and humid Tokyo, Honda boss Takanobu Ito delivered a series of emphatic messages that spelled out one larger one - that Honda is back, and it intends to spread its engineering wings again.

Among the series of ground-breaking global announcements there were some that were especially relevant for Europe: confirmation of the next generation Honda Civic Type R, an all-new Jazz in 2013, a small, Jazz-based crossover and three hybrid powertrains, the most basic of which Ito declared will be the most efficient in the world ("better than the Prius" was the subtext).

For other markets there was similarly good news: the return of the baby, rear-drive Beat roadster for Japan, one of six new small cars for the Japanese market by 2015 that compete in the kei car category, which now accounts for 40 per cent of all Honda sales; a next generation baby Jazz for markets including Turkey, saloon and SUV variants of the Brio for Asia and a new diesel engine for India.

Nor was it just product announcements. Ito outlined a new product development system, which will allow each region to play a role in a new car's development, ensuring that they can modify each vehicle for local tastes from early in the development cycle rather than at the end of it, plus made a commitment to Japan that Honda will build at least a million cars there a year for the forseeable future.

He ended this quick-fire series of major investments by setting the goal of raising sales of just over three million cars to six million by 2017. No small task, he conceded, adding that setting goals could be dangerous, as it also set a target he might not reach. "But goals are there for us to strive for, not force," he said with a smile. "I want to inspire everyone in the company and get them pushing together to achieve our targets."

All this off the back of new products such as the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V in the past 12 months, plus the announcement of the next generation Honda NSX and Honda's return to world championship car racing, in the World Touring Car Championship.

"It is time to counter-attack," concluded Ito, reflecting on the global economic woes that led to the cancellation of Honda's F1 and NSX programmes and an acceleration of its sales-orientated, but bland, model line-up.

Ito, who as a young engineer worked on the original NSX, is very much viewed in Japan as being in the spirit of company founder Soichiro Honda, was promoted to company president on the eve of that economic crisis. Today, you might reasonably argue, Honda's uninspiring car line up is a result of his need to cut back investment and concentrate on the bottom line.

But now, you sense, is Ito's time to show the world what he thinks Honda should really be about.

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Well theres been a Honda type R of some sorts, on and off, for the past 20 years. So there's nothing new here really. Obviously they will be developing their hybrid technologies, and most Japanese cars are massive in Asia. Which is no surprise considering its on their doorstep.

i really want to like Hondas, i even drive one, but they are trying so hard right now not to make anything to interest me. This news is very welcome, but 3 years for the Type R is a long time. And what if you dont want a Civic? Apart from the CRZ there is nothing of interest, an that is underpowered (although a bit more power appears to be on the way at last).

The range in the UK is probably made of less cars than at almost any time in the last 20 years. We used to get the US made Civic and Accord Coupes. why not now? The Civic comes with a 200 bhp 2.4 in the quick model, that would do nicely until our Type R turns up.

Why is the new Beat not coming here? Come on Honda, give us some more choice

There is nothing here that is new or to be excited about.*gasp* A new type R! *swoon* a new Jazz *lummy* more hybrids. Replacing cars that are nowhere near class best and I imagine will fail to change that.

I take it this is the guy that cancelled the F1 programme on the eve of winning the world championship when years of investment were about to pay off. Sounds like just the kind of guy Honda need.

I seriously considered an Integra last time I changed cars, but 4-door models with manual boxes were scarce, and I was worried about parts availability for a grey-import car. Now there is no Integra in production. According to Autocar the next Accord will not come to the UK as a proper import. Japanese made Civic saloons are not sold new in the UK. Honda back ? I will need a lot of convincing.

Honda should just get on and do it, and the customers will follow. The buying public know that Kia and Hyundai's total commitment to improvement sees them getting better & better with each new model - though their bosses don't seem to shout about it.

When I change my Type R next year it will be the first time in 20 years that I've not bought a Honda. And that's for the simple reason that they don't build anything that interests me.

Honda's problem, as we all knew, was that when the financial crisis hit they cancelled all the exciting projects to concentrate on dull, worthy cars that they thought would sell. Now that people are prepared to spend again (mostly) Honda don't have anything to offer them, and are left floundering. It's a school-boy error and is going to cost them for a few years to come yet.

And even now they're making some odd decisions - not bringing in cheap but fun city cars like the Brio; making us wait for 4 years into a model cycle for a Civic Type R (and then giving it to us in 5 door only).

I used to love Honda, but walking into one of their dealers these days is depressing.

...they still make some of the best and most exciting motorcycles on the planet; the new Fireblade has had fabulous reviews and the V4-engined Crosstourer has created a new niche to some acclaim. Maybe the motorcycle R&D department should have a go at designing a car?